Aggressive drivers targeted in York County, statewide

Pennsylvania's Steer Clear law requires drivers to move at least one lane away from emergency responders on the side of the highway. Drivers who can't move over must, by law, slow down.(Photo: PennDOT photo)

State and local police have begun a six-week aggressive-driving enforcement detail in York County and across Pennsylvania.

The enforcement detail started Monday, March 19, and continues through Sunday, April 29, according to Barbara Zortman, director of the York-based Center for Traffic Safety.

The goal of the detail is to reduce the number of aggressive-driving-related crashes, injuries and deaths, she wrote in an email.

All aggressive drivers pulled over by police will be cited, she said.

State police and 46 area police departments in southcentral Pennsylvania will be watching for speeding, work-zone violations, drivers who won't move out of passing lanes, forcing others to pass them on the right, and drivers who illegally pass on the right.

Statewide, more than 235 municipal police departments are participating.

Also on police radar will be drivers who tailgate or commit other aggressive-driving offenses, according to Zortman.

Last year, municipal police across Pennsylvania wrote 44,610 citations related to aggressive driving, including more than 27,000 for speeding.

They also made 33 felony arrests, captured 94 fugitives, made 137 DUI arrests and wrote about 1,200 citations for people not wearing their seat belts, according to Zortman.